E Sreedharan said that Kerala is drifting towards the "fortune of a debt trap, financial bankruptcy, and a high level of unemployment".
'Metro Man' E Sreedharan, who formally joined Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Malappuram on Thursday, has opened up on joining politics and the possibility of becoming the chief minister of Kerala.
In a conversation with Aditi Tyagi, Sreedharan said that the reason he joined politics is because Kerala is drifting towards the "fortune of a debt trap, financial bankruptcy, and such a high level of unemployment" therefore his "technical knowledge and experience" should be made available to the people of Kerala.
On working with PM Narendra Modi during the time he was Gujarat's chief minister, Sreedharan said, "Working with Narendra Modi when he was Chief Minister was a memorable one. That was the time when the metro project in Gujarat was in the works. We did all the studies and prepared project details. He was very quick in taking decisions and very passionate in independent schemes."
On the possibility of becoming Kerala's chief minister, he said that he will have a "better chance to implement the development scheme for the state".
He said, "I am certainly open to becoming the chief minister of Kerala. I am not saying that I entered politics to become a chief minister, but if I'm projected as the CM candidate, then it will definitely give a better image to the party, and it will be easier for me to implement many of the development schemes".
Adding, "I am not aiming to become a chief minister, I am only saying that if the responsibility is given to me, it will be good for the party as well as for the people.
Elattuvalapil Sreedharan is credited with changing the face of public transport in India with his leadership in building the Konkan Railway and the Delhi Metro while he served as the Managing Director of Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. Later, he helmed several other metro projects in key cities.
Popularly known as the Metroman, he had enjoyed a cult image not only in Kerala but across the country for his work and respect cutting across political lines.
The election for 140-member Kerala Assembly will be held on April 6, the Election Commission of India (ECI) announced on Friday. The counting of votes will be held on May 2.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "E Sreedharan")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}